– Under the title “Eclairages”, La musique symphonique en Tunisie, the renown musician and director Féthi Zghonda, outlines the history and the actual situation of symphonic orchestras in Tunisia. The text originally written in French, is also available in English.Presentations from Africa
– The executive director of the Accra Symphony Orchestra from Ghana, Korkor Armateifio, has dedicated a lot of energy in the African creative industry in general. She presents the exciting story of the Accra Symphony Orchestra.
– Jessica Ester a superb young violin-player from Mozambique presents the unique Project Xiquitsi(http://xiquitsi.org.mz/).
Although we don’t have the full-presentation, we ought to give attention to the numerous orchestra activities in Kenya and their social impact, presented by Professor Duncan Miano Wambugu, Lecturer in the Department of Music and Dance at the Kenyatta University in Nairobi. He is a also a famous performer, conductor and educator. You can find the abstract of his presentation and his short bio on our website.
I want also to mention that I had the pleasure to meet Brian O’Kepher, a young Kenyan musician,last year at the SICO-festival in Seoul. Although he was not present in Bergen I wanted to show his activities as an example of the many more musical talents in Africa.
All different stories from different corners of Africa. With one common line, their love to share playing music in an orchestra. Below I have listed some references videos on YouTube, which illustrates the inspired work. But, please, don’t limit yourself to my selection, there are many more videos to discover.
Presentations on activities in Africa
Féthi Zghonda, Tunisia
La musique symphonique en Tunisie (Francais)
Symphonic music in Tunisia (English)
Accra Symphony Orchestra, Ghana
ACCRA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTATION
Project Xiquitsi, Mozambique
Duncan Miano Wambugu – Kenya
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORCHESTRAL MUSIC IN KENYA
List of illustrating videos from Africa
Here are some suggestions but if you take some time you can find many more.
From Tunisia:
Not only videos of well-known repertoire but also new original scores written by Tunisiancomposers, which makes it even more attractive to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he66PxAplFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORejWdz7JTE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02iE3bX0hYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6u39D_7TLU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsezXCexDgs
From Ghana and Accra Symphony Orchestra
http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/media-center/news/4284-ama-adopts-aso-as-accra-city-s-orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN6AINIYnO4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4azpmG-1y3o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATkHWvqJgN8
From Mozambique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6x2f-dcA_g
https://www.dw.com/pt-002/xiquitsi-o-sonho-da-m%C3%BAsica-cl%C3%A1ssica-em-mo%C3%A7ambique/av-40677447
From Kenya:
It is hard to make a selection of the videos from numerous orchestras in Kenya.
You can find work by the Nairobi Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya, the University of Nairobi Orchestra , the Safaricom Youth orchestra and Safaricom Choir.
Kenya National Anthem – National Youth Orchestra of Kenya, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB0azCnMWJI
National Youth Orchestra of Kenya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8VgnWV6RtU
National Youth Orchestra of Kenya performing Hifadhi by Kenyan composer Njane Mugambi , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x1zMDaSGcg
Rehearsal of Pole Musa directed by KNYO Deputy Musical Director Levi Wataka, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upn1GhI_WIQ
Safaricom Youth Orchestra presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqrSjUP0ZFs
Safaricom Youth Orchestra and Safaricom Choir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgf6BawA7_c
University of Nairobi Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAyFLrWD3Ao
Nairobi Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD6IgIKLIT0
National Anthem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEErr_8Ck_Y
Mendelssohn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_zIitMPSfU
Strauss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6wjqDZpKqg
And some extra videos with Brian O’Kepher, as a prove of his talent.
Brian O’Kepher with Ivan Fischer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBzq1FHaPLo
My life conducting an orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k8BtNumxmI
Dvorak 9, 2nd movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV3cLSAdUBw